Roger Federer has confirmed his entry into the Gerry Weber Open for a 17th consecutive entry next year with his early entry into the event. Federer who is dubbed as the “King of Halle”, has won eight singles titles at the event and a doubles title. He is the three-time defending champ and is looking for a second career four-peat at the event, with his first coming from 2003-2006.
Nishikori and Monfils Try To Take Down The King
Kei Nishikori and Gael Monfils are the other two confirmed early entries into Halle as they try to lift their first title on German soil. The Japanese number will be making a fourth consecutive appearance. His best results have been back-to-back semifinal appearances over the past couple of years.
Monfils will also be making his fourth consecutive appearance at the tournament. Next year will mark his fifth appearance, starting up in 2011. His initial appearance marked his best showing, getting to the semifinals before losing to Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Federer Continues His Halle Run
17 consecutive years entering into one tournament is an astounding amount for anyone, that is longer than a number of players’ careers. This is just a testament to Federer’s career playing healthy at the top level. In three of the 17 years Federer has entered this event, he has wound up having to withdraw whether it was fatigue or injury. 2007 and 2009 saw fatigue tire the Swiss, causing him to withdraw from the tournament while 2011 saw a groin injury hamper Federer.
The Gerry Weber Open is contested in the second week of June and is also the second week of the grass season. Federer, who usually kicks off his grass season in Halle, will actually be in Germany the week before as well. For the first time ever, the world number three will be at the MercedesCup to kick off his grass season, and that tournament takes place in Stuttgart.